'American Idol's' farewell journey begins

'Hollywood Week' begins Wednesday, Jan. 27

Top 24 semifinalists revealed Thursday, Feb. 4

Top 10 announced and perform Thursday, Feb. 25

'American Idol' grand finale week begins with a one-hour retrospective episode airing Tuesday, April 5

Remaining finalists battle for the crown, Wednesday, April 6; winner named and 'Idol' celebrates its momentous 15 seasons, Thursday, April 7, on FOX

"American Idol's" farewell season kicks off tonight, with auditions from around the country. For three weeks, the judges - Jennifer Lopez, Keith Urban and Harry Connick Jr. - and host Ryan Seacrest will travel to Atlanta, Denver, Little Rock, Philadelphia and San Francisco in search of the 15th "Idol." During auditions, former champions, including Nick Fradiani, Taylor Hicks, Ruben Studdard, Clay Aiken, Kris Allen and Lee DeWyze, also joined in the search.

Tonight (8-10 p.m. ET/PT), the show heads to Denver and Atlanta, followed by auditions in San Francisco and Little Rock tomorrow, Thursday, Jan. 7 (8-10 p.m.); Philadelphia, Wednesday, Jan. 13 (8-9 p.m.); Denver and Little Rock on Thursday, Jan. 14 (8-10 p.m.); Atlanta, Little Rock, Philadelphia and San Francisco on Wednesday, Jan. 20 (8-9 p.m.), with final stops back in Atlanta, Philadelphia and San Francisco Thursday, Jan. 21 (8-10 p.m.), on FOX.

Beginning Wednesday, Jan. 27 (8-9 p.m.), the nation's most talented singers head to "American Idol's" "Hollywood Week" for a shot at wowing the judges one more time. "Hollywood Week" continues Thursday, Jan. 28 (8-10 p.m.), and Wednesday, Feb. 3 (8-9 p.m.). Only the "best of the best" will make it to the "showcase" round, during which they will take the stage for the "The Final Judgment" airing Thursday, Feb. 4 (8-10 p.m.), which will reveal America's top 24 semifinalists.

Then, for three weeks beginning Wednesday, Feb. 10 (8-9 p.m.), and Thursday, Feb. 11 (8-10 p.m.), fan-favorite "Idols" will return to mentor and sing with the top 24. The judges will narrow the semifinalists down, Wednesday, Feb. 24 (8-10 p.m.), leading to the announcement of the top 10 on Thursday, Feb. 25 (8-10 p.m.), and their first performances.

The competition heats up for the final crown the following week on Thursday, March 3 (8-10 p.m.), when the competition airs only one night a week until the grand finale week.

The three-night grand finale week kicks off Tuesday, April 5 (8-9 p.m.), with "American Idol: American Dream," a one-hour retrospective episode, featuring Seacrest, current and former judges, contestants and the behind-the-scenes team sharing their memories. Then, the series will bid farewell when the remaining finalists battle it out live from the Dolby Theatre on Wednesday, April 6 (8-9 p.m.). On Thursday, April 7 (8-10 p.m.), the 15th "American Idol" will be crowned and the farewell celebration will continue, as the show pays tribute to the past 15 seasons, the talented contestants and the millions of fans who called, tweeted, texted and championed their "Idols."